Duck Dynasty controversy pushes the issues

Actor's Comments

Challenge Freedom

Of Speech And FaithStigl

By Harriett Ford

The duck call does more than honk. Duck Dynasty Commander Phil Robertson, 67, is making noise that demands a new definition for the terms “freedom of speech” and “freedom of religion”—a definition free from extremist labels of “intolerance,” “political correctness,” and the right not to be offended.

The hugely popular (and profitable) reality show now has a questionable future because patriarch Robertson dared to quote a passage of scripture from I Cor. 6:9-10, expressing his personal faith in God's word. Because this passage does not condone homosexuality, Robertson is accused of making “vile” comments.

When did Christians lose the constitutional right to freedom of speech and the freedom to give voice to their faith without being labeled intolerant or vile?

“Whether I said it, or someone read it, what's the difference?” Robertson commented during the subsequent media storm. “It's not my word, it's God's,” he might have added.

Pro-gay organization GLAAD describes the quoted passage “vile.” Christians across the nation find this remark deeply offensive. They do not believe they have the right to re-interpret God's word, regardless of Obama's “evolving” opinion and the current push for cultural acceptance of gay marriage. Would the same group describe passages from the Islamic Koran as “vile” and not expect an outcry of offense? Are the adulterers, idolaters, drunkards, swindlers, and male prostitutes (also not condoned in the quoted verse) equally as offended? Is it also a “vile” hate crime to describe these behaviors as sin?

The position of the Christian faith has always been that God loves the sinner and hates the sin. Yet today, it is increasingly unpopular in this culture to label any behavior as sin. Granted there are always extremists who do not act in love toward others. Stupid behavior is what makes us human. However, it is the prayer of sincere believers that God will unite us in love, not in hate. That includes reaching out to the “sinner” to offer the hope of eternal life.

How God Provides What Santa Cannot

How God Provides What Santa Cannot
By Penny R. Koontz as told to Harriett Ford

Little did I know that God would provide in such a startling way that Christmas of 1991, nor could I have dreamed He would change the course of my entire life.

The homeless shelter was in a remote area of Texas, pitch black at night except for the light of a lonesome train passing by. I had just taken over the property, planning to serve God for one year to thank Him that I could walk again after polio's crippling effects.

With 42 youngsters, 30 adults, no money, and few ornaments, our holiday season looked rather bleak.

“Miss Penny, how will Santa find us way out here?” The children asked while decorating the tree.
“Let's sing,” I suggested. A few weak voices began singing a carol. “Come on,” I urged, “Put your heart into it.” They upped the volume, and just as I was getting into the inspirational words of the song, all singing stopped. I turned to see Santa in full costume walking through the door. He whispered to me as he passed by, “Heard you might need a Santa. I'm on my way to a party and thought I'd stop here first.”

Mr. Claus delighted the children, taking them one at a time on his knee and hearing their Christmas wishes. But to my dismay, each child asked for a bike. After he left, the reality of somehow making 42 bikes appear hit me. “Lord, how will I ever get that many bikes when just getting enough food for these people is stretching my faith?”

I certainly knew good Bible verses about how God provides abundantly and exceedingly. But I would never have guessed how specifically God, and not Santa, was about to show up.
Soon articles started appearing in the newspaper. Word spread. People brought warm clothes, toiletries, and other items, and yes, the bikes started arriving to be assembled in our “secret workshop.”

Christmas morning arrived and oh, the bikes…bikes everywhere. Eventually exhausted after all the gift-giving, laughter, ribbons, and tears of joy, I decided to head for my room for a needed rest.

As I headed out on the dirt path, I heard little feet running behind. “Miss Penny, Miss Penny!” Five-year-old Cedric caught up to me, his cheeks streaked with tears. I knelt on the dirt drive to see what troubled him.

“What is it Cedric? Why are you crying, honey?” I asked.

“I didn't git me no bike! I told Santa I wanted a purple two-wheeler, but Santa didn’t git me no bike!”

Dismayed, I groaned inwardly, how could we have been off by one bike!
Looking into those tear-filled eyes, I asked, “Cedric, honey, did you ask Jesus for a bike?”

"No, Miss Penny, I asked Santa.”

“Well, that explains it," I said. “You see, Santa Claus is a story about Christmas. He's a one-day wonder. But Jesus is the true Gift and the gift-giver. He hears you when you pray. What I am telling you are quotes to live by, so let’s talk to Him about this."

Cedric got on his knees beside me and made quite a noisy plea to Jesus ending with a request for a purple two-wheeler.

After the amen, I looked up to see dust from a pickup heading along the drive toward us. It pulled to a stop and a man stepped out.

“Sorry I'm late,” he said, “I meant to come yesterday, but our children made a surprise visit. Can anyone use this?” He lifted a brand new purple two-wheeler from the pickup's bed and placed it right in front of little Cedric.

Woman of 'great faith' that I am, I stood there absolutely speechless and simply watched as God made Himself real to a delighted child. I never got the name of the man.

The joy of that moment is as fresh in my heart today as it was that morning. And because of that joy, I have continued ministering to homeless adults and children at Jacob's House at Thunder Ranch, helping more than 8,000 individuals and hundreds of youngsters find a future with hope.

I am praying for all who read this story that you also get your purple bike, whatever it may be. Healing for your body, peace for your mind, and comfort for your heart . . . that only Jesus can bring.

Harriett Ford
Gold member # 53151
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-det ... ?id=164443

harriettford.blogspot.com,

facebook.com/harriettbarnettford

We need God's Grace because of God's Truth.

Penny Robichaux-Koontz, 4611 State Highway 176 East, Chestnut Ridge, MO 65630 417-231-5241,

A man jumps from a bridge into a freezing torrent, and instead of drowning, he is rescued by a "giant hand."
Jim Stewart of the Ozarks tells his amazing story in a collection of miracle stories now being compiled by reporter/author Harriett Ford of Saddlebrooke, Missouri.
I am currently looking for testimonies from Christian authors. Contact me and let's write to the glory of God.

Ted's Case Stranger Than Fiction

This man is not forgotten.

Most people who read my book based on the 1996 Ted Kuhl murder case think is it actually fiction. Truth must be believable. The incredible lack of evidence--zero forensics, no murder weapon, no reliable witness, and no motive--is unimaginable.
The book is stranger than fiction, because it is all too shockingly true.
It took no evidence to convict Ted but his own foolishness in not asking for an attorney during the interrogation and that of a witness who changed his story 16 times as a matter of court record (more outside of court). Yet in order to overturn this improbable conviction, evidence must be at the "smoking gun" level, according to then-state's attorney Paul Logli.
Someone, somewhere knows about the smoking gun. I have letters from a gang member to indicate this.
Many in Rockford, IL believe that Ted is innocent of the homicide for which he has been imprisoned since the trial. A former Boy Scout who belonged to a troop led by Ted Kuhl  has started a blog spot titled: Ted Kuhl Innocence Project. 
It is our hope that the missing gun is found.

IF LOGICAL SPOCK RAN FOR OFFICE

I'd vote for Spock.
IT IS NOT LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT:
1.  you can  legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of  prosperity.
2.  The government can give to others without first taking away from someone else.
3.  You can multiply wealth by dividing it.

IT IS LOGICAL: to realize that what one person receives without working for,
another person must work for without receiving.
To understand that when half the people get the idea they do not have to work
because the working half is going to take care of them, the other half will get the idea
that someone else is going to get what they work for, and that is
the beginning of the end of any nation.

SADIE SAYS: We are Triple Trillions of dollars in debt. Who do we owe this money to?
Some guy named Henry? 

Foxes grow gray, but few grow good.

Those graying foxes in the ACLU and the out-of-control courts are sadly mistaken.
America's founding fathers never intended freedom FROM religion. All fifty states in the union expressed faith and gratefulness to God in the preambles of their constitution.
Missouri's Preamble states:
Missouri 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri , with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, establish this Constitution . . .
Do you know your own state's preamble? You will find God acknowledged there. That is not the same as demanding that Americans must worship Him.

SADIE SAYS: One gray fox said to a young boy, "I'll give you a candy bar if you can show me where God is." The boy answered, "I'll give you two if you can show me where He isn't."  

Almost Made It, But I'm Aiming Higher.

   With shaking fingers, I tore the Fed-ex envelope open. The next moment I was lying on the floor, laughing     hysterically.

It was March 13, 1987, just two weeks after I mailed in my contest entry to replace the most popular advice columnist in America, Ann Landers. She was leaving the Chicago Sun Times for the Chicago Tribune.   Then-editor Matthew Storin informed me that my entry had made the top 111 out of eleven thousand contestants from across the nation. Woohoo! This letter would be framed and hung on the wall.

My vanity showed me pictures of myself appearing on television interviews, speaking, lecturing, and writing books that publishers would cry for. Maybe the Sun Times would even send a limousine to pick me up and drive me from Rockford into Chicago every day. I’d wear a stylish hat to match my coat and gloves.

On April 5^th, Matthew Storin sent out letters of regret. I received one of them and promptly tossed it in the trashcan. As a free-lance writer, I have had some experience with rejection (very, slight experience). It was quite devastating (the one time it happened) but I soon realized one editor's rejection is not the final word. There is no end to hope...unless Hope wanted to be the next Ann Landers.

Dear Editor, One happy writer will soon be sitting at Ann Landers’ former desk. Does she use phrases such as, “you know” and “goes like” in her sentences? If so, perhaps the editors have chosen the wrong person.

However, it’s not too late. I will be available until some time after 2025. After that, I’m sure I’ll be very busy, so please keep my number handy. –Signed Opportunity Waits But Not for Long.

Sister Mary Solved The Problem

Dear Sara and Sadie,  An elite private school for young girls faced a unique problem. After they put on their lipstick, the girls would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man removed them, and the next day the girls put them back. Finally, Sister Mary called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all the lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian, who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses). To demonstrate the difficulty, Sister Mary asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.  Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers...... And then there are educators! If this principal ran for office I would vote for her. --Signed, Kinta Reader SADIE SAYS: Nuns continually teach and preach against the evils of modern fashion, even though today's revealing styles don't leave enough thread to talk about.  I suspect Sister Mary would say there is nothing hidden that should be uncovered.

Sense and Nonsense, Look How Far We've Come

Sense & Nonsense

By Sara and Sadie

What the School board Expected in the 1800s:

Miss Prudence, you must teach reading, writing, prayers, and simple math. Use repetition from the Bible and the Christian Horn Book.

We expect the highest moral and ethical standards from you and your students.

Start the day with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Never smoke or be seen in a public place where liquor is served.

Courtship is discouraged, but if you do accept a suitor, you must never be seen in public without a chaperone.

What the Schoolboard Expects Today: Updated Mar 5, 2013

Ms. Lezben,any references to Christmas or Easter are not tolerated. 

We respect the Islamics, the Hindus, the Wiccans, etc.

To protect transgender students from discrimination, all students are welcome everywhere on campus-- including the restrooms of their choice. 

In order to protect students from feelings of inadequacy, we do not fail anyone, or make a show of rewarding excellence.

Elementary children should be able to “define sexual orientation.” Eighth graders must be able to “define emergency contraception and its use.”

Ninety percent of pollsters say that to require teachers not to get drunk on weekends interferes with personal liberty. However, we do discourage getting drunk with students.

SADIE SAYS: The board forgot to ask if Ms. Lezben can shoot a gun. 

My short stories now in two anthologies

Readers,
Twelve award-winning authors have short stories chosen by Welkin Press for  publication in two
anthologies: Shadows After Midnight and Fifty Shades of Santa (NON EXPLICIT).
I have a story appearing in each collection.
I haven't yet read all, but I'm hearing these e-books are really fun reads.
Hope to hear from others who enjoy short romance and spooky tales.